Vaping industry sues state over new regulations
Manufacturers and distributors of e-liquid claim the Indiana law is unconstitutional because it regulates products used in vaping devices but not e-cigarettes.
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Pence, House GOP not on same page as lawmakers return
A lack of consensus among Republicans on several issues—including questions about gay rights, transportation funding and ISTEP testing—looms large as lawmakers ready for the 2016 legislative session, which kicks off Tuesday.
IBJ’s most-read stories of 2015
Despite national attention paid to RFRA and Jared Fogle, most of IBJ’s top-read online stories this year were the result of deeply sourced reporting on people, issues and businesses specific to central Indiana.
Indiana adoption advocates optimistic about legislation
The leader of an advocacy group for Indiana adoptees says there’s a good shot that state lawmakers will endorse a bill to expand access to sealed adoption records.
Judge limits discovery Pence sought in Syrian refugee case
A federal judge has signaled unwillingness to permit wide-ranging discovery that the administration of Gov. Mike Pence sought as it continues to oppose a charity’s resettlement of Syrian refugees in Indiana.
WEIDENBENER: Lawmaker’s bill aims to eradicate food deserts
Sen. Randy Head, R-Logansport, has modeled his legislation after a program in Pennsylvania that, over a decade, funded 93 projects that are providing more than 400,000 people with access to healthier food. However, Pennsylvania committed $30 million to the project and private investors offered another $145 million. The Indiana proposal would only earmark $1 million to the effort.
Water bills would rise under Citizens rate settlement
The average bill for Citizens Energy’s residential customers in the Indy metro area would jump from about $30 per month to $35.
Michigan’s minimum wage rising to $8.50 an hour
Michigan workers making the minimum wage will see a 35-cents-an-hour raise starting Friday. Indiana’s minimum wage will remain $7.25 per hour.
State plans $50M revamp of I-465/I-69 interchange
Reconfiguring the interchange is meant to ease congestion, improve safety and reduce travel times for drivers on the northeast side’s crowded commuter corridor.
Indiana Bicentennial Birding Big Year begins Jan. 1
Birders who find at least 200 species will be entered in a drawing for Indiana DNR annual entrance permits, DNR Inns gift cards, Indiana Audubon memberships, binoculars and more.
Ivy Tech possibility for Ellspermann could affect Pence bid
If Lt. Gov. Sue Ellspermann is offered and accepts the job, it would shake up Gov. Mike Pence’s re-election effort, allowing the Republican to find a new running mate to join him on the November ticket.
Indiana bill targets transgender bathroom use
Sen. Jim Tomes' bill would send people to jail for up to a year and fine them as much as $5,000 if they were convicted of entering a bathroom that does not match up with their birth gender.
Pence authorizes $42M in raises for state workers
The pay increases will be based on performance evaluations that are completed in January, and could reach as high as 6 percent for outstanding work.
Monroe becomes 4th county to use needle exchange
To launch a needle exchange program, community officials must convince the state it has a hepatitis C or HIV outbreak.
State audit expresses doubts about Terre Haute’s future
The audit of Terre Haute’s finances raise doubts about its ability to continue to operate as a municipality. It notes that the city is one of those hardest hit by reductions in property values and property tax caps.
State awards $135K in federal funds for tree programs
Recipients for tree inventory and analysis included Elkhart, $20,000; Kendallville, $17,425; West Lafayette, $18,562; and Pendleton, $11,575.
Governor backing Ellspermann for Ivy Tech presidency
The lieutenant governor says she's been approached about becoming president of Ivy Tech Community College, and Gov. Mike Pence's spokesman says Pence has encouraged her to seek the job.
Indiana regions passed over for state money continue search
Officials in four Indiana areas that failed to win a share of the tens of millions of dollars in the Regional Cities competition are looking to other sources fund their dream projects.
Law lets companies focus on social issues, not just profits
New benefit corporation structure will make it possible for firms to write priorities besides profit—such as philanthropy, environmental concerns or workplace wellness—directly into their bylaws.
New U.S. 31 opens in Carmel
The $350 million project included upgrading 13 miles to interstate standards from Interstate 465 to State Road 38 with 49 new bridges and 12 new interchanges through Carmel and Westfield.